Girl Scouts across Southern Illinois and the nation will participate in National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend Feb. 22-24, celebrating the entrepreneurial program.

At a time of year when many Girl Scouts across the United States are selling Girl Scout Cookies, National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend, which is an annual event, encourages consumers to support the female leaders and changemakers of today and tomorrow. While just 17 percent of startups are founded by women, the cookie program equips girls with the skills and attributes they need, such as persistence, confidence, and healthy risk-taking, to become business founders and leaders in the future.

All of the proceeds fund troop projects and experiences, as well as programming at the local level, such as outdoor adventure and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). And many Girl Scouts invest their earnings back into service projects, which means that consumers are not just purchasing delicious cookies — they’re also supporting the betterment of their communities and a bright future for girls.

Girl Scout Cookie Booths, where local troops sell at area businesses, places of worship, and community events, run through the end of March. Girls can also take orders through Girl Scouts’ online platform Digital Cookie – including accepting donations of cookies to send to U.S. Military members. Visit www.girlscoutcookies.org or use the official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app, free on iOS and Android devices to find cookie booths. You can also call Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois at 800-345-6858 or email customercare@gsofsi.org to get connected to a troop selling in your area.

The Girl Scout Cookie Lineup in Southern Illinois includes:

$4 Per Boxes

Thin Mints: Crisp wafers covered in a chocolate coating made with natural oil of peppermint.